Chapter 31 - Fall Festival

                                    

                                          
It's Cooper's birthday today so I present to you the longest chapter I've ever written. 
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Cooper was still bummed about not going to New York, but he told his parents he was okay with it. He understood, but it didn't change the fact that he would spend his birthday doing who knows what. 
                          
On Saturday was the fall festival, and even though he bought a ticket, he wasn't going to go after what happened with River, but his parents encouraged him to, so here he was, in the cold, playing a game with Miles and Parker. He was winning as the other two were complaining as they shot their final ball, losing. 
                          
"Whatever, we let you win." Parker scoffed. 
                          
Cooper smirked, and they walked off, talking about the other games. Parker spotted Riley's friends, and they all headed over, Cooper looking for Riley. 
                          
When she finally showed up, he had a legitimate smile on his face, and they hugged each other. "Hi, Cooper! Sorry I'm running late; I had to practically drag my brother to bring me."
                          
Still smiling, he shrugged. "You're good; we were just walking around."
                          
"It's cool, right? My brother says that every year student council is in charge of organizing it."
                          
"For real? All of this?" The festival was huge, and there were so many booths for activities. 
                          
"Well, they have some fundraisers throughout the year, but apparently everything they sell is super overpriced, and half the time, it's just their parents giving money."
                          
"Makes sense." 
                          
They went over to one game where they had to pop balloons, and Cooper was impressed with how good Riley was. "Woah, here I was thinking I had the better arm."
                          
She smiled at him before throwing her dart and popping another. "I got a good eye. I played volleyball in middle school."
                          
"How come you didn't play this year?" He said, paying more attention to her. 
                          
"I kind of got nervous and skipped tryouts. I've never had to try out for anything, and then when I heard about the team gathering, I got freaked out even more." 
                          
Cooper was starting to realize he didn't actually know anything about Riley. He knew what other people told him, but the two never actually had a get to know you conversation. 
                          
Throwing his last dart, he missed it. "It's not that bad; majority of the time, everyone makes it. I think the only time you should be worried is if you want to make varsity, and you end up making JV."
                          
"I'll keep that in mind for next year." She smiled. 
                          
With that, they walked to a different game where Cooper won her a bear. They spent a good hour and a half playing games trying to see who'd win (Cooper let her every time), and eventually, her friends stole her, leaving Cooper to wander around looking for his. 
                          
Walking past one game, he noticed Stella looking bored as kids played. Deciding to go over, her demeanor didn't change when she saw him. 
                          
"Well, hello there, lost puppy, looking for a bathroom?" 
                          
All he did was smile at her and roll his eyes. "Hi, Stella." He gave her a ticket and she handed him five balls to knock down the bottles. "I'm surprised they have you working."